Dispensing system for liquids



y 1934- H. JEWELL 1,960,782

DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 15, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l fizz/622507. K .273a H JWeZZ,

May 29, 1934.

I. H. JEWELL DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 15, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 29, 1934. H. JEWELL DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 15, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 v ZZZOWGZZ,

May 29, 1934. l. H. JEW ELL DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 15, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I III May 29, 1934. 1 JEWELL 1,960,782

DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 15, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7'0 LINE.

Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATE PATENT 20 Claims.

My invention is concerned with a dispensing system, intended primarily for furnishing cold drinking water to the various rooms of an ofiice building in such a maner as to provide the tenants, with no trouble to themselves, with the best possible drinking water, and in such a manner as to furnish a profit by its dispensing to the owners of the building.

As water has been customarily supplied to tenants prior to my invention, each office has been provided with a dispensing device by an outside concern, and the water is furnished therefor in large bottles, which have to be frequently changed, and ice supplied thereto daily, to the annoyance, and at the expense, of the tenant, who pays a separate bill for the water.

As an improvement on this old system, my invention consists of a closed system of piping throughout the building provided with pumping mechanism whereby the Water is kept constantly circulating therethrough, and having therein refrigerating apparatus for keeping the water th oughout the system at the desired cool temperature, together with dispensing devices in the various rooms or suites from which the water is drawn off as used, through a meter, so that the tenant may be billed for the water used in connection with his regular monthly rental bill.

A further feature of my invention is the connection of the individual dispensing devices with the system in such a manner that there are no dead ends in which the water loses its coolness, so that there is a waste in drawing off the lukewarm water before water of the desired coolness is available. In my invention, the cold water is kept circulating in a small pipe passing through a small holder from which the water therein (kept cool by the circulation through the pipe) is drawn as needed.

A further feature resides in passing so much water as is drawn off for use in each individual apparatus through a meter, so that the tenant can be charged for the exact amount used, and no more.

A further feature of my invention resides in providing the system with automatic means for replenishing it with fresh water to take the place of that drawn off and used, irrespective of the rate at which it may be used.

A further feature of my invention resides in so constructing the connections between the holders and the circulating piping passing therethrough that the water in the holder is maintained at atmospheric pressure, despite the high pressure in the piping, thus obviating the pos sibility of rupturing the holder, a portion of which is preferably composed of glass so that the water to be dispensed is visible to the user, who can thus judge of its quality.

To illustrate my invention, I have annexed hereto five sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, of which,-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one of the individual dispensing devices;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with the insulating material covering the branch pipes in section; a

Fig. 3 is a sectionon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of an individual d penser on the scale of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a central vertical section on the same line as Fig. 3, but on a larger scale;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sections on the lines 6--6 and 7-7, respectively, of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a plan view in section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sections on the lines 99 and 10-10 of Fig. 8; r

Fig. 11 is a plan view as seen on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13, sheet 2, is a diagrammatic view showing the circulation of the water through an individual dispensing device;

Fig. 14, sheet 1, is a diagrammatic view showing the connection of the individual dispensing device with the system; and I Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic View showing the complete system.

Referring now to Fig. 15, will represent the first floor of a building, and 21 the various floors above the same. 22 is a basement, and 23 is the motor for operating the compressor 24 for the carbon dioxide condenser 25, which has the customary connections, as indicated, with the double-pipe water-cooler 26, through the outer pipes of which circulates the liquid carbon dioxide gas for cooling by its expansion the water circui100 lating through the water pipes 2? of the cooler. The'cold-water supply line 28 leads up from the bottom of the pipes 27 to the header pipe or piping 29, from which extend upward the plurality of risers 30, preferably located in the supporting columns of the building, of which there will be as many as are necessary to care for the various rooms and suites to be served. Shut-off cocks 31 are provided at the bottom of these risers so as to cut out any riser if occasion demands. These risers are connected at the top to a header pipe or piping 32, the risers having therein the shut-ofi cocks 33 adjacent the header. Connected thereto above the header is the balance tank 34, which will have the float switch-control mechanism 35, which controls the operation of the fill-in pump 36 in the basement, the float switch-control having the customary contacts in the electric circuit 37 to the motor 38, which operates the pump 36. This pump 36 is connected by the pipe 39 with the water storage tank 40, although, of course, any suitable source of water supply may be used. The header 32 is connected by the return pipe 42 with a T 43 by which it is connected with the pipe 44 to the fill-in pump, and also by the piping 45 with the drinking-water circulating pumps 46, of which there are preferably two, and which discharge the water through piping 47 into the inlet end of the coils 27, so that as the pumps 46 are operated, a constant supply of water cooled in the refrigerating apparatus is circulated throughout the entire system. When sufiicient water has been drawn 011 from the balance tank 34, the float switch operates to close the circuit through the motor 38, and the fill-in pump is then operated until the level is restored in the balance tank. The broken lines 48 in Fig. 15 represent the drainpipe system, which will extend adjacent the header 29 and the risers 30;

Referring now more particularly to sheet 1, 49 represents the base of the casting for an individual dispenser, and this base 49 has the vertical extension 50, the general shape of this casting being readily understood from Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9. The riser 30 is provided at each individual dispenser with access thereto through the panel 51, and has therein the shut-off cock 52, which is so adjusted as to force a fraction of the water flowing therethrough through the by-pass formed by the pipes 53 and 54, which pipes are preferably provided, near their connection with the riser 30, with the shut-ofi cocks and 56,

respectively. The pipes 53 and 54 are connected at the dispenser, as will be hereinafter described, so that a by-pass is formed through which a portion of the water in the riser 30 can flow through the pipe 53, the individual dispenser, and the pipe 54 back to the riser, and in use, the valves .52, 55 and 55 are carefully adjusted so that if twenty dispensers are served on an individual riser, as might be the case in a twenty-story building, one-twentieth of the volume of water flowing through the riser will be by-passed through each individual dispenser, so that the temperature of the water at the top of the system will be substantially the same as that at the bottom.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 and 7, the pipe 53 is at its dispenser end suitably connected with the elbow 57, which has its lower end screwed in a casting 58 which is secured by screws 59 to the back plate 60, which in turn is secured by screws 61 and 62 to the casting 49, 50, which has the opening 63 therein substantially covered by the back plate. seen in Fig. 4, the casting 50 is supported from the inverted U-shaped bracket 64 secured to the wall 65 by the screws 66, the bracket 64 having the offset 67 therein forming a recess in which the lug 68 depending from the top of the casting 50 rests. The casting 58 has the vertical opening 69 through the center thereof, and in the top of this opening is threaded the pipe 70, which has its other end threaded in the connecting sleeve 71, the reduced upper portion of which Asv extends upward through the casting 72, with which a water and air tight joint is made by the packing '73 and the gland nut 74 threaded into the top of the casting 72. This casting '72 is secured by the screws 75 to the top of the front of the back plate 60. Co-operating with the casting 72 is the inverted, shallow, cupshaped casting '76, which is screwed on to the top of the pipe connection 71, and the upper end of this pipe connection 71 is closed by the short connecting sleeve 77, which is threaded on to the short pipe connection 78 screwed into the elbow 79, which is suitably connected to the return pipe 54. The connection 77 is preferably held in place by-the connecting nut 80 threaded on the top of the connecting pipe 71 and engaging the flange on the bottom of the connection 77. The connections just described form a passage for the cold water from the pipe 53 to the'pipe 54 and complete the by-pass to the riser 21, v

The casting 58 has in the top thereof the annular channel 81 with the packing ring 82 in the bottom thereof, and the casting 72 has in its under side a similar concentric annular channel 83 having the packing ring 84 in its bottom, and between these packing rings, I place the concentric glass cylinders 85 and 86 so as to form a dead-air space between them and thus assist in keeping the water 87 in the cylindrical chamber or holder formed by them cool. The casting 58 is secured to the back plate 60 by the screws 59, which are seen, in Fig. 7, as co-operating with the slots 88 in the lugs 89 projecting downward from the casting so that the bottom casting can be adjusted the correct distance from the top casting 72 to make a liquid and air tight seal by the co-operation of the glass cylinders 85 and 86 with the packing rings 82 and 84. This adjustment is further efiected and made secure by the fact that the pipe 70 has screwed on the top of it the pipe connection 73, which slides through the casting 72, and has the casting 76 co-operating with the casting 72 screwed down thereon, so that by screwing down the casting 76 any desired degree of pressure may bebrought on the packing rings and the glass cylinders 85 and 86 to insure their being watertight. It will be noted that the castings 58, 72 and 76 and their connections to the pipes 53 and 54 are shown as covered with insulating material to assist in preventing the loss of the cold in the water. The connections so far described furnish a complete by-pass from the riser.

For the sake of appearance, I enclose the connections above the top of the cylinder with the hollow, elbow-shaped casting 90, which is secured to the casting 72 by screws passing through the sides thereof near the bottom, but which are not shown in the drawings. A similar casting 91, at the bottom, is secured to the casting 58, so that a sightly structure is formed.

In the portion 49 of the casing, I may locate the cup delivery apparatus 92, which by the operation of the push piece 93 drops paper cups 94 one by one into the holder 95 provided therefor. I have not herein shown said cup-dispensing apparatus in detail, as the same is fully disclosed and claimed in my application No. 622,498, filed July 14, 1932, for Dispensing apparatus. In the rear portion of the base portion 49, I locate a water meter 96, which has its reading dial 97 projecting upward through an aperture provided in the top of the portion 49 of the casing, and adjacent this coil 97, I provide in the casing the depression 98 for drippings, said depression 98 having the connections 99 in the bottom thereof to the branch drain pipe 100 leading to the drain system 48 previously mentioned.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7, a connection 101 is threaded into the passage 69 through the casting 58, and opens into a check valve 102 which is connected to the small pipe 103, which leads down to the cock 104, which can be adjusted to any desired capacity and which is connected with the inlet of the meter 96. The other side of the meter 96 is connected by the piping 105, shown in Figs. 9 and 10, with the valve 106 operated by the handle 107 outside of the casing. The other side of the valve 106 is connected by the small piping 108 with the vertical passage 109 drilled from the top of the casting 58 and closed at its upper end by the perforated cap 110 threaded therein. With the construction shown, when the handle 107 is turned, water can flow from the bottom of the pipe through the meter and be discharged upward into the bottom of the holder formed by the glass cylinders 85 and 86, thereby raising the level of the water therein. This level is controlled by a pipe 111 having its upper end turned over to form an inverted U, the bottom of which is threaded into the vertical passage 112 bored into the top of the casting 58. A pipe 113 is threaded into the casting 58 to connect with this passage 112, and on the outer end of this pipe 113, I thread the discharge spout or nipple 114, but leave a space between the end of the spout and the casting 91 so as to prevent the sweat forming on the nipple 114. In the outlet of the nipple or spout 114, I thread the strainer 115 to catch any possible impurity that might be in the water.

The operation of the dispensing apparatus will now be readily understood, and somewhat more easily by reference to the diagram constituting Fig. 13. The water circulates constantly through the riser 30 and the bypass formed by the pipes 53, 70 and 54, so that the water 87 in the holder is kept constantly at substantially the temperature of the circulating water, and the level of the water 87 is kept constant at the inlet of the pipe 111, and as the pipe 111 opens to the atmosphere, the pressure in the holder is atmospheric, irrespective of the pressure in the pipe 70. When the tenant desires a drink, the handle 93 is operated and a cup 94 discharged, which is placed beneath the nipple 114, and the handle 107 of the valve 106 is opened. This permits water from the bottom of the pipe 70 to flow downward through the pipe 103 through the meter 96, up through the pipe 108, and to enter the holder through the nipple 110, raising the level of the water above the inlet for the pipe 111, so that some of the water 87 now flows down through the pipe 111 and out through the spout 114. As soon as the handle 107 is released, it closes the valve 106, and no more water enters the holder, and whatever water is then in the pipe 111 will be discharged and the apparatus be as it was before, with the water at the constant level and with atmospheric pressure in the holder.

While I have shown and described my invention as embodied in the form which I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of modifications, and that I do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state of the prior art.

What I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing liquid-cooling apparatus and circulating means therein so that cooled liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the cooled liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid and means for delivering the liquid therefrom, some of the piping of the circuit passing through each of the holders so that the liquid therein is kept cool, ready for immediate delivery from the holder at the desired temperature by the continued circulation of the cooled liquid through the piping passing therethrough.

2. In a system for deliverying liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing liquid-cooling apparatus and circulating means therein so that cooled liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the cooled liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid and means for delivering the liquid therefrom, some of the piping of the circuit passing through each of the holders so that the liquid therein is kept cool, ready for immediate delivery from the holder at the desired temperature by the continued circulation of the cooled liquid through the piping passing therethrough, the delivery means being constructed so that as the liquid is delivered from the holder an equal amount is delivered from the circuit to the holder, keeping the supply therein constant.

3. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing liquid-cooling apparatus and circulating means therein so that cooled liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the cooled liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid, means for delivering the liquid therefrom, some of the piping of the circuit passing through each of the holders so that the liquid therein is kept cool, ready for immediate delivery from the holder at the desired temperature by the continued circulation of the cooled liquid through the piping passing therethrough, the delivery means being constructed so that as the liquid is delivered from the holder an equal amount is delivered from the circuit to the holder, keeping the supply therein constant, a reservoir outside of the circuit, and connections from the reservoir to the circuit for automatically delivering liquid from the reservoir to the circuit to take the place of the liquid delivered from the delivery devices.

4. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing liquid-cooling apparatus and circulating means therein so that cooled liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the cooled liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid and means for delivering the liquid therefrom, some of the piping of the circuit passing through each of the holders so that the liquid therein is kept ing of a branch circuit therefrom leavingand entering it above and below a valve in the main piping by which the flow through the branch circuit can be regulated.

5. In a system for delivering liquids, thecombination with a circuit for liquid containing liquidcooling apparatus and circulating means therein so that cooled liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the cool liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid having a valvecontrolled connection with the circuit for admitting the liquid thereto, and an outlet pipe having its inlet directed downwardly and reaching the level of the top of the liquid supply in the holder so that when the valve is opened exactly the same amount of liquid will flow from the outlet pipe as is admitted to the holder, the outlet pipe extending for most of its lengththrough the liquid in the holder, and some of the piping of the circuit likewise passing through the liquid in the holder so that by circulation of cold liquid therethrough, the liquid in the holder is kept cool.

6. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquid containing liquid-cooling apparatus and means therein for circulating cooled liquid constantly thereinunder pressure, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing cooled liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid to be delivered containing liquid not under pressure, and connections between the circuit and the holders so that liquid delivered from any holder is immediately replaced from the circuit, the piping of the circuit passing through each of the holders so as to keep the liquid to be delivered cool.

'7. In an apparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination with a holder, of a pipe passing therethrough through which a cooling liquid circulates, a valve-controlled liquid outlet Heading from said holder, and connections from the pipe to the holder for delivering to the holder from the pipe the same amount of liquid as is drawn from the outlet.

8. In a dispensing apparatus for liquids, the combination with a holder, of a pipe for a cooling medium arranged to cool its contents contained in said holder, said pipe having a connection whereby the cooling medium may constantly circulate there-through, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for said holder, the outlet being arranged with respect to the interior of the holder to provide means for maintaining a constant body of liquid in the holder, said inlet being connected with said pipe and providing means for supplying additional liquid to the holder to thereby discharge a corresponding amount of liquid from it.

9. In a liquid dispensing device, the combination with a liquid holder, of a. supply pipe rising from the bottom of the holder and having connections whereby the pipe is always filled, a meter, piping from the bottom of the holder connecting the supply pipe with the meter inlet, piping connecting the meter outlet with an inlet through the bottom of the holder, a hand-valve in said lastmentioned piping, an outlet pipe opening into the upper part of the holder and connected to the bottom thereof, and a nozzle connected to said outlet pipe.

10. In a liquid dispensing device, the combination with a liquid holder, of a base piece therefor, a supply pipe rising from the base piece having connections whereby the pipe is always filled,

a meter, piping from the base piece connecting the supply pipe with the meter inlet, piping connecting the meter outlet with an inlet through the base piece to the holder, a hand-valve in said last-mentioned piping, an outlet pipe opening into the upper part of the holder and connected to the base piece, and a nozzle connected to said pipe through the base'piece.

11. In a liquid dispensing device, a liquid holder consisting of a base piece having an inlet opening therethrough and an annular channel in its upper surface, of a top piece likewise having an outlet opening therethrough and an annular channel in its lower surface, a hollow cylinder fitting in said channels,-piping screwed into the inlet-opening of the lower base piece and sliding through packing in the outlet opening of the upper base piece, anola nut screwed on to the piping and-co-operating with the top piece to secure the cylinder seated tightly in the channel. .-'12.- In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing temperature afiecting apparatus and circulating means so that liquid maintained at a desired temperature is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the temperaturemaintained liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for stationary liquid maintained at a desired temperature by the circulating liquid and having a valve-controlled connection with the circuit for admitting the liquid therefrom-thereinto, and an outlet pipe having its inlet directed downwardly and reaching the level of the top of the liquid supply in the holder so that when the valve is opened exactly the same amount of liquid will flow from the outlet pipe as is admitted to theholder.

13. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing temperature-affecting apparatus and circulating means so that liquid maintained at a desired temperature is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the temperaturemaintained liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder for stationary liquid maintained at a desired temperature by the circulating liquid and having a valve-controlled connection with the circuit for admitting the liquid therefrom thereinto, an outlet pipe having its inlet directed downwardly and reaching the level of the top of the liquid supply in the holder so that when the valve is opened exactly the same amount of liquid will flow from the outlet pipe as is admitted to the holder, and a liquid meter in said valvecontrolled connection.

l4-.- In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a closed circuit for liquids containing temperature-affecting apparatus and circulating means therein so that liquid maintained at a desired temperature is constantly circulating through thesystem, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the temperature-maintained liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder in which a quantity of theliquid is held at rest under atmospheric pressure only and maintained at the desired temperature by the circulating liquid, and means for delivering saidliquid from the holder as desired and'replacing it from the circuit.

15. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination" with -a closed circuit for liquids containing temperature-afiecting apparatus and circulating means therein so that liquid maintained at a desired temperature is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the temperature-ma ntained liquid at diiTerent points, each device comprising a holder in which a quantity of the liquid is held at rest under atmospheric pressure only and maintained at the desired temperature by the circulating liquid, and means for delivering said liquid from the holder as desired and simultaneously replacing it from the circulating liquid.

16. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing temperature-affecting apparatus and means therein for circulating liquid maintained at a desired temperature constantly therein under pressure, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing liquid maintained at a desired temperature at diiferent points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid to be delivered containing said liquid not under pressure andmaintained at the desired tern erature by the circulating liquid, and conn ctions between the circuit and the holders so that liquid delivered from any holder is immediately replaced from the circuit.

17. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with circuit for liquids containing ternperature-afiecting apparatus and means therein for circulating liquid maintained at the desired temperature constantly therein under pressure, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing temperature-maintained liquid at difierent points, each device comprising a holder for the liquid to be delivered containing liquid not un er pressure and maintained at the desired temperature by the circulating liquid, connections between the circuit and the holders so that liquid delivered from any holder is immediately replaced from the circuit, a reservoir outside of the circuit, and connections from the reservoir to the circuit for automatically delivering liquid from the reservoir to the circuit to take the place of the liquid delivered from the devices.

18. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing temperature-affecting apparatus and circulating means therein so that temperature-maintained liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the temperature-maintained liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder in which temperaturemaintained liquid is held stationary, and means for circulating the temperature-maintained liquid is held stationary, and means for circulating the temperature-maintained liquid from the system in thermal but not actual contact with the liquid contained in the holders to thereby maintain the temperature of the liquid therein.

19. In a system for delivering liquids, the combination with a circuit for liquids containing temperature-affecting apparatus and circulating means therein so that temperature-maintained liquid is constantly circulating through the system, of a plurality of liquid delivery devices associated therewith for dispensing the temperaturemaintained liquid at different points, each device comprising a holder in which temperature-maintained liquid is held stationary, means for circulating the temperature-maintained liquid from the system in thermal but not actual contact with the liquid contained in the holders to thereby maintain the temperature of the liquid therein, and means for delivering liquid from the system to the holders, thereby displacing liquid therefrom to he dispensed.

20, In a system for delivering liquid, the comhination with a liquid delivery device, of a circuit for the liquid containing temperature-afiecting apparatus and circulating means for maintaining a temperature-maintained liquid constantly circulating through the system, a branch circuit by which liquid is constantly circulated through the liquid delivery device, means connected with the branch circuit for introducing liquid to the liquid 1 

